Some relationships begin well but in the course of time they turn sour. The early promise is not realised. The fault may lie with one or both parties in the relationship. This kind of change is evident in the spiritual life of the Galatians. One major reason for Paul’s letter is the change he sees in their approach to their relationship with the Lord and the speed with which this has happened. We now consider Galatians 3:1-5 Going on as you began.
1. How had the Galatians gone astray?
Paul once again addresses them directly – in strong language: ‘You foolish Galatians’ (v1). ‘Foolish’ is not a comment on their intellectual capacity. The issue is their use, or failure to use, the knowledge of gospel truth that they have. The problem really lies in their heart attitude to the truth they received. They are guilty of not applying the truth for their spiritual health and growth. ‘Who has bewitched you?’ This is a graphic way of describing the deception by false teachers of people who ought to know better (and who are therefore guilty for their failure). The issue is their abandoning the core truths of the gospel they once embraced – they are not going on as they began. ‘Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly crucified’ – the vivid preaching of the gospel by Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13). Through this gospel ‘we…have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ’ (2:16). Abandoning this message puts the person and work of Christ in question.
2. How do we begin the Christian life?
Paul recalls the Galatians’ initial response to the gospel – ‘filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 13:52). They began ‘with/by the Spirit’ (v3) – a saving response to the gospel is God’s gift. Salvation comes not by law-keeping but ‘by believing what you heard’ (v2). Paul returns to the contrast he has already expounded. Justification is by faith in Christ (2:16). There is no place for legalism, allowing a role in salvation to human effort or works. That is the principle stated in 2:16 ‘by observing the law, no-one will be justified’. The Galatians had responded to the gospel on the basis of faith, hence their being filled with joy and with the Spirit (Acts 13:52).
3. How must we continue the Christian life?
Paul now exposes their folly, and that of Peter and Barnabas: ‘After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?’ (v3; ESV ‘are you now being perfected by the flesh?’). The fundamental contradiction is beginning by grace but trying to continue by works. The ‘flesh’ denotes what unaided and imperfect human nature can offer. They are trying to combine conflicting and incompatible paths, grace and works. Here is a deep irony: they describe this following of works as ‘being perfected’ when in fact it is a path that leads away from growth in holiness. Paul recalls their past experience – ‘Have you experienced (or ‘suffered’) so much for nothing?’ – they are in danger of throwing away the early blessings of salvation by faith. Paul seeks to awaken them – ‘Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law or because you believe what you heard?’ (v5). We must go on in the same way as we began, by faith in the Lord.